Toy for forming grotesque figures



Dec. 27, 1955 P. KNOTT TOY FOR FORMING GROTESQUE FIGURES 3 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Feb. 19, 1952 "romvlswn k m H N I E T H V M mm m K W L H P Dec.27, 1955 P. KNOTT 2,728,167

TOY FOR FORMING GROTESQUE FIGURES Filed Feb. 19, 1952 .3 Sheets-Sheet 2-VIII,

IN VEN TOR. PHILIP Know Dec. 27, 1955 P. KNOTT I 2,728,167

TOY FOR FORMING GROTESQUE FIGURES Filed Feb. 19, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 5::::::1 l0 "jiiTT li wamvlsmu l INVENTOR. PHILIP Know This inventionrelates to new and useful improvements in a toy or the like.

More specifically, the present invention proposes the construction of anovel toy for the amusement of children and the entertainment ofgrown-ups which makes it possible to assemble eyes, noses and mouthswith different open-faced or blank heads by the separate rotation ofindependent discs.

A further object of the present invention proposes characterizing thetoy by a face layer provided with a sight aperture and holes spacedabout the sight aperture in a manner to support the discs for manualrotation with peripheral areas thereof passing behind the sightaperture.

Still further, the present invention proposes providing one of the discswith the open-faced or blank heads and each of the other discs with theeyes, noses and mouths respectively so that when one of the blank headsis aligned with the sight aperture the other discs can be turned tobring the desired set of eyes, nose and mouth into proper alignment withthe blank area of the head for forming a complete face.

As a further object, the present invention proposes providing each ofthe discs with a concentric knob extended through one of the holesspaced about the sight aperture for rotatively retaining the discs inposition and for providing a means by which the discs can beindividually turned relative to the sight aperture.

The present invention further proposes securing a back layer to the facelayer in a manner so that the discs will be sandwiched between thelayers with the knobs of the discs extended through the holesspacedabout the sight aperture.

Another object of the present invention proposes supporting the discs sothat they may be adjusted radially relative to the sight aperture tovary the location of the discs radially relative to the sight apertureto arrange the eyes, noses and mouths out of normal alignment with theblank areas of the heads to form more amusing grotesque faces.

It is a further object of the present invention to construct toys or thelike of the class described which are simple and durable, which areefiective for their intended purposes and which can be manufactured andsold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the followingdescriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawing forming a material part of the presentdisclosure:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of the toy of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevational View of the four discs shown in the relativepositions they occupy in the assembled toy.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

nited States Patent 2,728,167 Patented Dec. 27, 1955 I CQ Fig. 6 is aview similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating the toy constructed inaccordance with a modification of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged partial horizontal sectional view taken on theline 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is anenlarged partial perspective view of the face layer used inthe form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.

The toy or the like, according to the first form of the presentinvention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, includes a face layer 10 having asight aperture 11 and a plurality of holes 12 spaced about the sightaperture. The face layer 10 is made of an opaque material preferably agood quality heavy cardboard. However, the toy can be made more durablewithin the intent cf the present disclosure by making the face layer 10of a synthetic resinous material, plywood or a thin gauge metal. Thesight aperture 11 is formed centrally in the face layer 10 and the holes12, which are circular, are spaced ninety degrees from each other. Onepair of holes is located on the vertical axis of the face layer 10 aboveand below the sight aperture and the other pair of holes is located onthe horizontal axis of the face layer on opposite sides of the sightaperture 11.

Located behind the face layer 10, there is a plurality of discs 14, 15,16 and 17-one for each of the holes 12 of the face layer 10. The discs14, 15, 16 and 17 are each made of a transparent synthetic resinousmaterial. Secured concentrically to each disc 14, 15, 16 and 17, thereis a knob 18. Each of the knobs 18 is circular in cross-section and of adiameter to fit snugly but rotatively through one of the holes 12 sothat by turning the knobs the position of the discs 14, 15, 16 and 17can be changed with relation to each other and with relation tothesight' opening 11. The knobs 18 are secured to the faces of the discs14, 15, 16 and 17 by an intervening layer of mudlage 19, as best shownin Fig. 5. The discs 14, 15, 16 and 17 are of a size to have peripheralportions thereof overlap one another immediately behind the sightaperture, as best shown in Fig. 3.

The discs 14, 15, 16 and 17 carry indicia adjacent their peripherieswhich are to be viewed through the sight aperture 11 of the face layer10. The indicia of the various discs are such that they combine withinthe sight aperture 11 to form a single composite figure. The disc 14 isknown as the head disc and as best shown in Fig. 4 carries four heads20, 21, 22 and 23 each of which is blank or open-faced. The head 20 isthat of a woman, the head 21 that of a policeman, the head 22 that of aman and the head 23 that of a baby. As the disc 14 is turned using itsknob 18, the heads 20, 21, 22 and 23 are brought successively intoalignment with the sight aperture 11.

The disc 15 is the mouth disc and carries adjacent its periphery aplurality of equally spaced mouths 24, see

Fig. 4. Thus, as the disc 15 is turned using its knob 18 one of themouths 24 is brought into proper alignment with the head 21), 21, 22 or23 exposed in the sight aperture 11 of the face layer 10, as shown inFig. 3.

The disc 16 is the eye disc and carries adjacent its periphery aplurality of equally spaced sets of eyes 25, see Fig. 4. Thus, as theeye disc 16 is turned using its knob 18 one of the sets of eyes isbrought into proper alignment with the head 20, 21, 22 or 23 exposed inthe sight aperture 11 of the face layer 10, as shown in Fig. 3.

The disc 17 is the nose disc and carries adjacent its periphery aplurality of equally spaced noses 26, see Fig. 4. Rotation of the nosedisc 17 using its respective knob 18 will bring one of the noses 26 intoalignment with the head 20, 21, 22 or 23 exposed in the sight aperture11 of the face layer 10, as shown in Fig. 3.

The features carried by the respective discs 14, 15,

16 and 17 are applied thereto by any desired method. For example, thefeatures can be applied to the discs 14, 15, 16 and 17 using an ink.printing method or can be hand painted using suitably'colored paints.

Means is provided for retaining the discs 14, .15, 16 and 17 in positionwith their knobs 18 extended through the proper holes 12 of the facelayer. The retaining means comprises a back layer .26 which is extendedover the back side of the face layer over the discs '14, 15, 16 and 17.The back layer 26' is slightly smaller in peripheral size than the facelayer 1% and is secured to the back side of the face layer by strips ofgummed tape 27. The back layer 26' is preferably formed of the samematerial used for forming the face layer 10.

For identifying the various knobs 18 where they are exposed through theholes 12 of the face layer .16, the front side of the face layer isimprinted with the words Heads, Mouths, Noses and Eyes-each adjacent oneof the knobs '18, see Figs. 1 and 3. Thus, by turning the properlyidentified knob 18 it is possible to change the head, the mouth, the setof eyes or the nose which is exposed within the sight aperture 11 of theface layer 10.

The manner of using the toy is as follows:

To align the desired head 20, 21, 22 or 23 with :the sight aperture 11of the face layer 10, the knob 18 above the identifying mark Heads isturned to align one of the heads with the sight aperture .11, as shownin Fig. 3. The knobs 18 of the discs 15, 16 and 17 are then rotated oneafter the other to bring the desired mouth, set of eyes and nose ofthose latter discs into proper alignment with the blank area of the.head aligned with the sight aperture 11 of the face layer 10.

To bring a different mouth, set of eyes or nose into alignment with theblank area of the head .20, 21, 22 or 23 aligned with the sight apertureto vary the facial expression thereof, it is merely necessary to turneither the disc 15, 16 or 17 using the respective knob 18.

The modification of the invention shown in .Figs. 6 to 8, ischaracterized by means whereby the positions of the discs 14, 15, 16 and17 can be shifted radially relative to the sight opening 11 of the facelayer 10 to form grotesque faces. In this form of the invention each ofthe discs 14, 15, 16 and 17 has its respective knob 18' secured theretousing a headed pin 30. Each of the pins 30 has a large, thin fiat head31 and a concentric shank 32. The heads 31 are secured to the rear faceof the respective discs 14, 15, 16 and 17 with the shanks 32 beingextended through concentric holes formed in the discs. The heads 31aresecured to the discs 14, 15, 16 and 17 using a thin layer of mucilageso as to hold the discs from turning relative to the pins 30 about theaxes of the shanks 32.

The free ends of the shanks 32 of the pins 30 are then extended throughelongated slots 12 formed in the face layer 10, and have a force fitwithin complementary recesses 33 formed in the rear faces of the knobs18'. The free ends of the shanks 32 are formed with a knurling 34 forretaining the knobs 18' against free rotation on the shanks 32 of thepins 30. Thus, as the knobs 13' are rotated, the pins 30 and the discs14, '15, 16 and '17 turn as a unit therewith.

The elongated slots 12' are extended radially outward from the sightaperture 11 and each is formed along one side with a pair of spacedreentrant projections 35 forming separate substantially semi-circularnotches 36, see Fig. 8, into which the shanks 32 of the pins 30 can beseparately snapped for spacing the discs v1d, 15, 16 and 17 radiallyrelative to the sight aperture 11.

To shift the position of the disc 14, .15, 16 or 17 it is merelynecessary to snap the shanks 32 of the pins 30 from one notch '36 'intothe next adjacent one past the respective projection '35. Theprojections 35 function to retain the shanks 32 of the pins 30rotative'ly in "position within the desirednotch 36. "Intheirshiftetl'positions, the

. 4 facial features carried by the various discs will be displaced fromtheir normal position within the blank area of the head 20, 21, 22 or 23exposed in the sight opening to form grotesque faces adding additionalenjoyment to the toy.

In all other respects, the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 to 8is similar to that previously described and like reference numerals areused to identify like parts.

It is the primary purpose of the present invention to provide a toy forthe amusement of children; however, the present disclosure will suggestother uses to which the basic developments of the present invention canbe put. The teachings of the presentinvention can be used to provide arogues gallery type police identification chart using the basic facialfeatures on the various discs 14, 15, 16 and 17. Also, by painting thediscs 14, 15, 16 and 17 with adjacent segments of color, :the device canbe used as a color chart for determining the colors which will resultfrom the :combining of the basic colors carried by the several discs.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, 311 15 to .be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications :coming within .the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my :invention, what I claim as new and desire 't'osecure by United States Letters Patent sight aperture to receiveselective faces, a plurality :of transparent-discs positioned be'hindsaid face layer, knobs mounted concentrically on said discs :andextende'd'rotatively through said face disc for supporting said discswith peripheral portions thereof overlapping one another behind saidsight aperture, and facial indicia carried by said discs adjacent theperiphery thereof to be viewed through said sight aperture in thevarious rotative positions of said discs, said discs being four innumber and one carrying open-faced or blank heads, one carrying mouths,one carrying :sets ofeyes and onecarrying noses, so that by rotation ofthe head'carrying disc one of the heads can be brought into alignmentwith the sight aperture of the face layer after which the discs carryingthe mouths, sets of eyes and noses can be turned to align the desiredmouth, set of eyes and nose with the blank head aligned with the sightaperture, and headed pins securing said knobs concentrically to saiddiscs, said headed pins having enlarged, 'flat heads secured to saiddiscs and shanks extended through the disc and'through elongated slotsformed in said face layer and having a force fit within recesses formedin said knobs, said elongated sl'ots having their lengths extendedradially from said sight aperture, and means for releasably holding saidshanks in desired shifted rotative positions along the length of saidslots, said releasable retaining means comprising reentrant projectionsformed along one side of each of said slots dividing off individuallysubstantially semi-circular notches for rotatively receiving said shanksof said pins.

ReferencesCitedin the file'of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 965,321P-elstring .July 26, 191 0 1,565,403 Schulke Dec. 15, v1925 1,995,154Morrison Mar. 19, 1935 2,105,008 Riley Jan. 11, 1938 2,476,742 Lareauetal. July 19, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 229,0:88 Great Britain Feb. 19, 1925316,391 Great Britain Aug. 1,-192'9 45,356 France May "6, 1935 (1staddition to No, 767,643)

A toy or the like comprising aface layer having a

